Alerts & Notices

Current Alerts

Public Health Inspection Services is hosting a series of Environmental Health presentations in Moonbeam. See the Environmental Health Series page for details.

November 14, 2016

Notice :

There is currently a shortage of the yellow fever vaccine in Canada. Travellers should contact the Porcupine Health Unit well in advance to inquire about whether or not Yellow Fever vaccine is required. The Porcupine Health Unit will then be able to advise you on your options including possibly travelling out of town to receive the Yellow Fever vaccine.

Notice :

The Porcupine Health Unit will be closed for Family Day on Monday, February 19, 2018. We encourage you to spend the day with your family being active and healthy!

Past Alerts

The town of Moosonee has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective January 20, 2018. The advisory affects the residents of Moosonee. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

January 29, 2018
- February 7, 2018

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective February 1, 2018 the Boil Water Advisory for Porcupine has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The City of Timmins has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective January 29, 2018. The advisory affects the residents east of Porcupine River Bridge. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA. For more information see the City of Timmins.

December 27, 2017
- January 25, 2018

alert :

Update – Outbreak of E. coli infections linked to romaine lettuceThis notice is being updated to reflect that the outbreak appears to be over. The risk to Canadians has returned to low and the Public Health Agency of Canada is no longer advising individuals in affected provinces to consider consuming other types of lettuce, instead of romaine lettuce. Details on the Public Health Agency of Canada website.

November 16, 2017
- November 27, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective November 22, 2017 the Boil Water Advisory for Mattice has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Mattice has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective November 16, 2017.Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water.See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

November 14, 2017
- November 22, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective October 16, 2017 the Boil Water Advisory for Smooth Rock Falls has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Smooth Rock Falls has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective November 11, 2017. The advisory affects the residents of Smooth Rock Falls on the North end of 5th Street.Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

October 5, 2017
- November 14, 2017

alert :

An update from the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change for the sampling at Remi Lake in Moonbeam has indicated no presence of microcystins, the toxin produced by blue-green algae. The Porcupine Health Unit reminds residents to follow these precautions when algae blooms are visible in the water.

November 1, 2017
- November 9, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective November 7, 2017 the Boil Water Advisory for Hearst has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Hearst has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective November 2, 2017. The advisory affects the residents of Hearst on Berville Avenue, Quirion Street, Chalykoff Street, Brisson Boulevard, Place Lambert and PlaceCharbonneau. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

October 25, 2017
- November 1, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective October 30, 2017 the Boil Water Advisory for Hearst has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Hearst has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective October 25, 2017. The advisory affects the residents of Hearst on Berville Street, Place Lambert and PlaceCharbonneau. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

October 20, 2017
- October 26, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective October 23, 2017 the Boil Water Advisory for Hearst has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Hearst has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective October 20, 2017. The advisory affects the residents of Hearst on Aubin Street and Powell Place. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

October 17, 2017
- October 26, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective October 23, 2017 the Boil Water Advisory for Hearst has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Hearst has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective October 17, 2017. The advisory affects the residents of Hearst on Pearson Street and Frost Street. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

October 2, 2017
- October 25, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective October 23, 2017 the Boil Water Advisory for Hornepayne has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Hornepayne has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective October 2, 2017. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

September 30, 2017
- October 10, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective October 10, 2017 the Boil Water Advisory for Moosonee has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Moosonee has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective September 30, 2017. The advisory affects the residents of Moosonee on Waska Circle. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

September 20, 2017
- September 23, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective September 23, 2017 the Boil Water Advisory for Moosonee has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Moosonee has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective September 20, 2017. The advisory affects the residents of Moosonee on Umisk Avenue and Nistum Avenue. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

August 29, 2017
- September 5, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective September 1, 2017 the Boil Water Advisory for Smooth Rock Falls has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Smooth Rock Falls has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective August 29, 2017. The advisory affects the residents of Smooth Rock Falls on the North end of 5th Street.Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

August 18, 2017
- August 31, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective August 23, 2017 the Boil Water Advisory for Moosonee has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Moosonee has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective August 18, 2017. The advisory affects the residents of Moosonee on Umisk Avenue and Nistum Avenue. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

August 2, 2017
- August 18, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective August 10, 2017 the Boil Water Advisory for Moosonee has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Moosonee has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective August 2, 2017. The advisory affects specific residents of Nistum Avenue, Moosonee (Town of Moosonee Emergency Updates). Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

July 28, 2017
- August 18, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective August 3, 2017 the Boil Water Advisory for Moosonee has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Moosonee has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective July 28, 2017. The advisory affects specific residents of Moosonee (Town of Moosonee Emergency Updates). Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

July 10, 2017
- July 25, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective July 18, 2017 the Boil Water Advisory for Moosonee has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Moosonee has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective July 10, 2017. The advisory affects the residents of Moosonee on Umisk Avenue and Nistum Avenue. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

July 7, 2017
- July 10, 2017

alert :

Commando Beach is posted with warning signs because the water may contain high levels of bacteria. The water is not recommended for swimming. The latest bacterial tests of the water indicated unacceptable levels of bacteria.

April 28, 2017
- May 15, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective May 4, 2017, the Boil Water Advisory for Wavey North has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Moosonee has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective April 27, 2017. The advisory affects the residents of Moosonee on Wavey North. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

March 18, 2017
- April 10, 2017

alert :

The town of Moosonee has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective March 18, 2017.The advisory affects the residents of Moosonee on Pisew Street and Quarry Road. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water.See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

March 13, 2017
- March 22, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective March 18, 2017 the Boil Water Advisory for Moose Factory has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Moose Factory has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective March 13, 2017.Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

March 6, 2017
- March 13, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective March 10, 2017, the Boil Water Advisory for Hornepayne has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Hornepayne has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective March 6, 2017. The advisory affects specific residents on Third Avenue.Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

February 11, 2017
- March 2, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective February 27, 2017, the Boil Water Advisory for Fauquier has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Fauquier has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective February 11, 2017.Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

January 24, 2017
- February 14, 2017

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATEEffective January 30, 2017, the Boil Water Advisory for Northern Lights Secondary School on Meechim Street has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Moosonee has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective January 24, 2017. The advisory affects the Northern Lights Secondary School on Meechim Street. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

February 3, 2017
- February 9, 2017

Notice :

February 2, 2017 - Statement from Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health on Gastrointestinal Illness from Oysters:Today, Dr. David McKeown, Ontario's Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, issued the following statement following a rise in illness that may be associated with the consumption of oysters from British Columbia:"Since January 2017, 24 cases of gastrointestinal illness consistent with norovirus have been reported in Ontario from individuals who reported eating raw or undercooked oysters. Cooking oysters at an internal temperature of 90 Degrees Celsius (194 Degrees Fahrenheit) for a minimum of 90 seconds should eliminate norovirus and other potentially harmful microorganisms. Foodborne outbreaks of norovirus illness can occur when food is contaminated with the virus. Some foods can be contaminated at the source. Shellfish such as oysters can become contaminated from the water before they are harvested. The common symptoms of gastrointestinal illness are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. In most healthy people, acute diarrhea and vomiting should resolve in one to two days. Symptoms may last longer in some people. Anyone experiencing these symptoms after eating oysters should seek the advice of their health care provider."For more information, see the Government of Canada website.

December 6, 2016
- December 15, 2016

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective December 12, 2016, the Boil Water Advisory for Hornepayne has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Hornepayne has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective December 6, 2016.Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

November 14, 2016
- November 28, 2016

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective November 24, 2016, the Boil Water Advisory for Hornepayne has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Hornepayne has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective November 14, 2016.Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water.See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

November 3, 2016
- November 16, 2016

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective November 10, 2016 the Boil Water Advisory for Moosonee (Base Area and Airport) has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE: The town of Moosonee has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective November 3, 2016. The advisory affects the residents of Moosonee located in the Base area and the airport area. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

October 24, 2016
- November 3, 2016

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective October 28, 2016 the Boil Water Advisory for Moosonee (Base Area and Airport) has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Moosonee has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective October 22, 2016.The advisory affects the residents of Moosonee located in the Base Area and Airport. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water.See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

October 15, 2016
- October 27, 2016

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective October 20, 2016 the Boil Water Advisory for Moosonee (Airport) has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Moosonee has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective October 15, 2016.

The advisory affects the residents of Moosonee located in the Airport area. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water.See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

October 11, 2016
- October 21, 2016

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective October 14, 2016 the Boil Water Advisory for Matheson has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Matheson has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective October 11, 2016. The advisory affects the residents of Matheson on 2nd street, 5th Avenue, 6th Avenue and 7th Avenue. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. For the latest updates see the Township of Black River-Matheson website. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

August 31, 2016
- October 17, 2016

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective October 14, 2016 the Boil Water Advisory for Uncle's Restaurant and Lodge has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The Porcupine Health Unit has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective August 31, 2016.The advisory affects the Uncle's Restaurant and Lodge in Hornepayne.See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

September 30, 2016
- October 14, 2016

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective October 10, 2016 the Boil Water Advisory for Moosonee (Base Area and Airport) has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Moosonee has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective September 30, 2016.The advisory affects the residents of Moosonee located in the Base Area and Airport. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water.See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

September 29, 2016
- October 7, 2016

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:

Effective October 6,2016 the Boil Water Advisory for Hornepayne has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Hornepayne has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective September 29, 2016.The advisory affects the residents of Hornepayne. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water.See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

October 3, 2016
- October 7, 2016

alert :

BOIL WATER ADVISORY UPDATE:Effective October 6, 2016 the Boil Water Advisory for Matheson has been lifted. This is due to satisfactory water results.

The town of Matheson has issued a Boil Water Advisory (BWA) effective October 3, 2016. The advisory affects the residents of Matheson on 4th Avenue, 5th Avenue, 6th Avenue, 7th Avenue, 8th Avenue and Quinn Crescent. Residents affected are required to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute prior to use or use bottled water. For the latest updates see the Township of Black River-Matheson website. See our Boil Water Advisory page for tips on using water safely during a BWA.

September 19, 2016
- October 3, 2016

alert :

An update from the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change for the sampling at the confluence of the Driftwood Rivers and the Black Rivers has indicated that microcystins, the toxin produced by blue-green algae, were present but did not exceed the Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards or Health Canada’s recreational water guideline. However, when algae blooms are visible in waters the Porcupine Health Unit encourages residents to follow these precautions.

April 19, 2016
- July 28, 2016

alert :

Costco’s Nature's Touch Organic Berry Cherry Blend frozen berries have been recalled due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A. If you have any of the product, do not use it and throw the package out.

If you’ve eaten the product in the last 14 days and have not been vaccinated for Hepatitis A, you should get a Hepatitis A vaccination as soon as possible. Please call your health care provider or the health unit if you have questions or concerns.